Angus Council’s communities convener has pressed the Scottish Government for a ‘road map’ to the re-opening of local skip sites.
Against the background of a small increase in local fly-tipping, Montrose councillor Mark Salmond said plans are already being laid in Angus for social distancing at recycling centres and traffic management to control the expected flood of users after weeks of lockdown.
In a letter to Scottish Government environment cabinet secretary Roseanna Cunningham, Independent Mr Salmond, said: “My officers are working hard behind the scenes to put in place plans to ensure that social distancing, safe working for our staff, together with safe movement of the public, are all worked through.
“Our roads department are working closely to ensure traffic management will be in place outside the centres to deal with the volumes of traffic expected once the centres re-open.
“My main reason for writing to you is to ask if you department are in a position to provide a road map to when you expect to be able to allow recycling centres to re-open and if you your department are considering introducing any additional special operating measures.”
Angus has announced the resumption of an uplift service for large items, which had also been suspended due to the pandemic.
Mr Salmond said: “In what are clearly challenging times in respect of service provision, this is for essential uplifts only.
“This refers to items that require urgent removal for reasons of health and safety. For example, where a bulky item would present a fire risk or public health issue if it were not removed.”
Uplifts can only be ordered online via the council webpage and residents have been advised not to call the authority’s Access Line.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government continues to work closely with COSLA, local authorities and other partners to sustain waste and recycling services and to address ongoing issues.
“This includes consideration of how household waste recycling centres could operate in a way that is compatible with physical distancing requirements and wider restrictions on public travel.”
